#TNHSFB Season Preview: Top Linebacker Units
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If you want to have a top tier defense, you need guys who makes the tackles, guys who know how to find the ball. These teams below look to have to best linebacking corps headed into the 2024 season with…
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Continue ReadingIf you want to have a top tier defense, you need guys who makes the tackles, guys who know how to find the ball. These teams below look to have to best linebacking corps headed into the 2024 season with some high level prospects mentioned that can take their games to another level.
1. Ensworth Tigers
Sam Haley
Sam
Haley
6'4" | 215 lbs | LB
Ensworth | 2025
State
TN
,
Micah Smith
Micah
Smith
6'2" | 225 lbs | LB
Ensworth | 2025
State
TN
,
Jack Watts
Jack
Watts
6'2" | 215 lbs | LB
Ensworth | 2025
State
TN
,
Jayden Pyant
Jayden
Pyant
6'3" | 200 lbs | LB
Ensworth | 2026
TN
– Nobody in this state has a better threesome at linebacker than Ensworth with Haley, Smith and Watts handling all three starting positions with all three destined for the college ranks.
Sam Haley
Sam
Haley
6'4" | 215 lbs | LB
Ensworth | 2025
State
TN
is the 3rd ranked linebacker within the #TN2025 class that is committed to play at TCU next year. He is big, athletic and smart along with room to add more weight once heads to play for Horned Frogs. Smith is highly ranked too and that’s due to his upside and ability to handle multiple linebacker positions. Watts looks set for a breakout senior year where he can boost himself into a Top 10 inside LB prospect for our senior class. Pyant is the up and comer that should gain plenty of snaps this Fall and position himself as a starter for next year. This is a talented crop of backers that should make a lot of noise this season.
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2. Page Patriots
Brenden Anes
Brenden
Anes
6'2" | 220 lbs | LB
Page | 2025
State
TN
,
Aiden Merlin
Aiden
Merlin
6'3" | 215 lbs | LB
Page | 2025
State
TN
, Sean Cunningham, Liam Perry
– Sporting the top linebacker from the 2025 class in Anes, the Pats have a stout core here that should produce a lot of tackles and be key performers on defense this Fall. Anes had a breakthrough season as a junior that pushed him towards the top of our LB board as well as land him a spot next season at Wisconsin. Merlin transferred over from James Lawson for his senior year and it should be a beneficial one that helps lead him to college. Cunningham is a tackling machine that could lead the Pats in tackles this year and return next Fall as their defensive leader. Perry is a young one but should learn a lot from his upperclassmen. If everybody remains healthy throughout this group, Page could have one of the better defenses in the state with a star in Anes leading the way.
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3. McCallie Blue Tornado
Bear Cortes
Bear
Cortes
6'2" | 210 lbs | LB
McCallie | 2025
State
TN
, Phillipe Robert, Ryan Larrabe,
Cooper Gentle
Cooper
Gentle
6'0" | 205 lbs | LB
McCallie | 2026
TN
,
Gabe Abercrombie
Gabe
Abercrombie
6'1" | 200 lbs | DB
McCallie | 2026
TN
, Aaron Mills
– Depth is the main word when talking about the McCallie linebackers. The Blue Tornado can run six deep at this position with a mix of veteran leaders and talented up and coming underclassmen. The star of this group is
Bear Cortes
Bear
Cortes
6'2" | 210 lbs | LB
McCallie | 2025
State
TN
, a smart and savvy backer that plays sideline to sideline. He is joined by fellow seniors Robert and Larrabe, who are both inside guys but may take snaps off the edge this season. Behind those guys are two rising juniors in Gentle and Abercrombie that should gain significant experience this year then step into lead, starting roles next Fall. This may not be the flashiest of linebackers but it’s a solid group that consistently does their job and should be main factors on one of the better defenses in the state this year.
![](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/bcortes.jpg?w=400)
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4. Brentwood Bruins
Mason Ray
Mason
Ray
6'3" | 215 lbs | LB
Brentwood | 2025
State
TN
,
William Turner
William
Turner
6'4" | 225 lbs | LB
Brentwood | 2025
TN
,
William Stockhoff
William
Stockhoff
5'11" | 195 lbs | LB
Brentwood | 2025
State
TN
,
Bowen Clunan
Bowen
Clunan
6'2" | 200 lbs | ATH
Brentwood | 2025
TN
, Jeremiah Flores
– For several years now, Brentwood has been cranking out some solid linebackers and this year’s crop looks to be no different. The Bruins return a solid senior core to lead the way on defense this season in Ray, Turner and Stockhoff. All three backers have different skill sets that provide balance to the group as well as three guys that can be depended on. Ray is an athletic guy that can handle the edge or middle while Turner is a true edge that could grow into a defensive end. Both can rush the backfield while providing strong work against the run. Stockhoff is your captain in the middle that will be tasked at stopping the run. Clunan and Flores provide depth and will be asked to play plenty of snaps, giving the vets a breather. Expect to hear a lot about this group throughout the coming season with stars like Ray and Turner leading the way.
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5. Ravenwood Raptors
Lane Sumerel
Lane
Sumerel
6'2" | 225 lbs | LB
Ravenwood | 2025
State
TN
,
Austin Mayfield
Austin
Mayfield
6'1" | 215 lbs | LB
Ravenwood | 2025
State
TN
, Matthew Anderson, Sam Rohan
– Another Williamson County program with a strong linebacking corp are these Raptors who run about four deep with a strong senior duo and two underclassmen that will play a lot this Fall. Sumerel is one of the more under the radar defensive talents we have from the Mid-TN region as he brings good physicality, size and smarts to the field that translate well to the college game. Austin Mayfield Austin Mayfield 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Ravenwood | 2025 State TN is his senior counterpart that has a unique game. He is built like a middle backer but works the edge well, showing on film explosion and pass rush abilities. Anderson should step into a starting role this year as the team’s middle linebacker and flourish with Sumerel and Mayfield around him. Rohan should be a rotational backer that fills in nicely for all three starters. These four should be key factors on a Ravenwood defense that could become one of the best in the state by season’s end.
![](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/lsumerel.jpg?w=1024)
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6. Baylor Red Raiders
Joel Lowenberg
Joel
Lowenberg
6'2" | 215 lbs | LB
Baylor | 2025
State
TN
,
Bradley Ilunga-Bisselele
Bradley
Ilunga-Bisselele
6'2" | 225 lbs | LB
Baylor | 2025
State
TN
,
Davis Garrett
Davis
Garrett
6'2" | 210 lbs | LB
Baylor | 2025
State
TN
– Depth will be made throughout the coming year for Baylor but these three linebackers alone give the Red Raiders one of the best trio of tacklers in the state. All three guys in Lowenberg, Ilunga-Bisselele and Garrett are ranked inside our #TN2025 Top 150 prospects in the state with all in contention for All-State honors. Recently committing to MTSU, Lowenberg is an aggressive and smart backer that plays sideline to sideline. Illunga-Bisselele has the most upside of the three with the ability to handle several linebacking roles due to his natural athletic abilities. Garrett brings good size and length to the field that should work well against the run. There will be others to gain snaps throughout the year but all three of the guys listed here will see the bulk of the action and be three top tier performers on one of the best team’s in the state.
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7. BGA Wildcats
ElGee Webster ElGee Webster 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB BGA | 2025 State TN , David Demorest, Elijah Fernandez Elijah Fernandez 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB BGA | 2026 TN , Jack Gregg Jack Gregg 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB BGA | 2026 TN , Park Ballash Park Ballash 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB BGA | 2026 TN
– This unit is my sleeper pick for the coming season as BGA could have one of the better linebacking corps within the Mid-Tennessee region. The biggest trait for this group is their depth. The Cats run about five to six deep with a nice mix of veterans and youthful talent. ElGee Webster ElGee Webster 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB BGA | 2025 State TN has a great opportunity to step up as a senior leader this year, working the edge for the Wildcats defense. Demorest should add depth inside. The star of the group looks to be incoming junior Elijah Fernandez Elijah Fernandez 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB BGA | 2026 TN . Transferring over from Dickson Co., Fernandez is a true middle backer that can run while playing a violent brand of football. He should be joined inside by fellow rising juniors in Gregg and Ballash. Both of these guys are undersized but fierce tacklers that read and react very well. This group is missing a tall and long edge guy but the overall collection of backers that BGA has this season should be outstanding and productive throughout the entire year.
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8. Brentwood Academy Eagles
Gavin Schaffer
Gavin
Schaffer
6'0" | 215 lbs | LB
Brentwood Academy | 2025
State
TN
,
Arkez Fontenot
Arkez
Fontenot
6'0" | 200 lbs | LB
Brentwood Academy | 2026
State
TN
, Brody Belville,
Roman Jennings
Roman
Jennings
6'2" | 215 lbs | LB
Brentwood Academy | 2027
TN
– The 2024 season is a bounce back year for everybody on the Eagles roster, including the linebacking corps that includes a few future college ball players. The senior leader of this group is Schaffer, a hard nosed, physical tackler that plays well versus the run. His leadership will be key but so will the play of rising junior
Arkez Fontenot
Arkez
Fontenot
6'0" | 200 lbs | LB
Brentwood Academy | 2026
State
TN
. This 6’0 200 pound athletic backer brings good athleticism and range to the field and college coaches have recognized it already. Belville should provide depth on the inside and gain experience as he looks to start next year. The name to know about for the future is Jennings. This sophomore linebacker has good size (6’2 215) along with versatility that plays well on the edge or the middle. BA has a solid core of backers for the 2024 season and their play will be needed to push the Eagles back into title contention.
![](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/20240519_170039-rotated.jpg?w=768)
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9. Bearden Bulldogs
Kai Ironside Kai Ironside 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Bearden | 2025 State TN , Isaiah Hays Isaiah Hays 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Bearden | 2025 TN , Kiki Moldrup, Marcus Brown Marcus Brown 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Bearden | 2026 TN
– As we head into the 2024 football season, Bearden could have the best linebacking corps of anyone from the greater Knoxville area and possibly the East Tennessee region. The Bulldogs linebackers provide a nice combo of athleticism, power and speed along with versatility. The lead guy here is Ironside, a fierce and aggressive linebacker with range. He is a headhunter that finds the ball anywhere. He is joined by fellow senior Isaiah Hays Isaiah Hays 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Bearden | 2025 TN . He should be penciled in on the edge where his length can cause damage for opposing O-linemen. Moldrup and Brown will add depth and strength in the middle. Brown is one guy to watch moving forward as he could play his way into the Top 20 at his position for the #TN2026 class. Bearden has been solid on defense under Coach Jones and I expect it to stay the same with this foursome flying around making tackles.
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10. Clarksville Wildcats
Ahmoyre Galbreath Ahmoyre Galbreath 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB Clarksville | 2025 State TN , Jack Stein, Bryson Ellington, Dawson Smith, Max Cunningham
– Led by a current Top 20 ranked linebacker, the Wildcats return a strong crop of linebackers for the 2024 season that provide a wow factor along with good depth. Ahmoyre Galbreath Ahmoyre Galbreath 5'11" | 195 lbs | LB Clarksville | 2025 State TN is a stud. He is one of the fastest backers we have from our senior class that plays aggressive and fast with the tendency to make big plays. He is complimented very well by fellow senior Jack Stein, who may not have the ideal size but plays much bigger with a nose for the ball. The next up and coming stud should be Ellington. Standing 6’2 210 pounds, Ellington brings the look and physical play to the field that can translate to the college game. Smith and Cunningham are unknowns to me right now but look like future starters that will provide depth this season. Clarksville had one of the better defenses in the state last year and things look to remain the same this Fall with this linebacking corp leading the way.
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One Extra ….
11. Station Camp Bison
Kelton Crisp
Kelton
Crisp
6'3" | 230 lbs | LB
Station Camp | 2025
State
TN
,
Andrew White
Andrew
White
5'11" | 195 lbs | LB
Station Camp | 2025
TN
, Alek Manning,
Ryland Keefe
Ryland
Keefe
6'3" | 215 lbs | LB
Station Camp | 2026
TN
, Treyson Pettis
– Keep your eyes out for the Bison and their linebackers for the coming season as this group looks stout with some college talent and steady performers spread throughout. The leader without question in this group is Crisp. Ranked as the 11th best linebacker in the state right now, Crisp is one of the top edge backers we have in the #TN2025 class due to his outstanding speed and get-off. Playing alongside him in the middle are White and Manning, two undersized backers that should provide excellent play versus the run. The next up and comer for the Bison defense is
Ryland Keefe
Ryland
Keefe
6'3" | 215 lbs | LB
Station Camp | 2026
TN
, a 6 ‘3 linebacker that could play both the edge or work the middle. Pettis is another underclassmen that should gain experience this season and prepare to be a starter next year. This is a solid group of backers that I think can gain more buzz through the coming football year and establish themselves as one of the better linebacking corps in the Mid-TN region.
![](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/42-Ryland-Keefe.jpg?w=1024)
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Other Top LB Corps To Follow
Lipscomb Acad.:
Kris Thompson
Kris
Thompson
6'1" | 215 lbs | LB
Lipscomb Academy | 2025
State
TN
,
Beck Woodside
Beck
Woodside
5'10" | 170 lbs | LB
Lipscomb Academy | 2026
TN
,
Hudson Husak
Hudson
Husak
6'0" | 195 lbs | LB
Lipscomb Acad. | 2026
TN
, Joven Hacker
Beech:
Gunnar Clary
Gunnar
Clary
6'2" | 210 lbs | LB
Beech | 2025
State
TN
, Alvin Comer,
Andy Brock
Andy
Brock
6'0" | 190 lbs | LB
Beech | 2026
TN
, Champ Nix
Cookeville:
Blake Owen
Blake
Owen
6'1" | 225 lbs | LB
Cookeville | 2025
State
TN
, True McLaughlin, Evan Banks
Riverdale:
Jomauri Smith
Jomauri
Smith
6'2" | 230 lbs | LB
Riverdale | 2025
State
TN
, Jeremiah Weaver,
Ayden Emmons
Ayden
Emmons
6'0" | 215 lbs | LB
Riverdale | 2026
TN
, Gael Lara
Collierville:
A.J. Greene
A.J.
Greene
6'0" | 200 lbs | LB
Collierville | 2025
State
TN
,
Benjamin Buckhold
Benjamin
Buckhold
6'0" | 205 lbs | LB
Collierville | 2026
TN
,
Jayden Majors
Jayden
Majors
6'1" | 210 lbs | LB
Collierville | 2026
TN
,
Sebastian Buckhold
Sebastian
Buckhold
6'0" | 195 lbs | LB
Collierville | 2026
TN
Sevier Co.:
Tyler Mann
Tyler
Mann
6'0" | 215 lbs | LB
Sevier County | 2025
State
TN
,
Jude Costner
Jude
Costner
6'2" | 200 lbs | LB
Sevier Co. | 2025
TN
, Joey Galazin
Mt. Pleasant:
Evan Plunkett
Evan
Plunkett
6'0" | 215 lbs | LB
Mount Pleasant Highschool | 2025
State
TN
, Jayston Barnett,
Jayden McClure
Jayden
McClure
6'3" | 210 lbs | LB
Mt. Pleasant | 2026
State
TN
Maryville:
Matthew Covert
Matthew
Covert
5'11" | 210 lbs | LB
Maryville | 2025
State
TN
,
Jonah Arms
Jonah
Arms
6'1" | 220 lbs | ATH
Maryville | 2025
TN
, David Crawford, Cohen Babelay, Mayson Ball, Dax Cole
Walker Valley:
Zeke Garrison
Zeke
Garrison
5'11"
Walker Valley | 2025
TN
, Tate Rountree,
Tyler Goldman
Tyler
Goldman
6'1" | 205 lbs | LB
Walker Valley | 2026
TN
, Cooper Godsey
![](https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/jmcclure.jpg?w=400)
If you want to have a top tier defense, you need guys who makes the tackles, guys who know how to find the ball. These teams below look to have to best linebacking corps headed into the 2024 season with some high level prospects mentioned that can take their games to another level.
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading